Peter I. Diamondstone

DUMMERSTON - Peter Isaac Diamondstone, co-founder of and perennial candidate in Vermont's first alternative political party - Liberty Union - died Wednesday in his home, surrounded by loved ones, after a long illness.
Peter was born in the Bronx in 1934 to Mildred and Jess Diamondstone. He met Doris Lake in 1953 and was quoted many times, as saying that his "... life began when he married Doris." Together they raised Aaron, Jessy, Ian and Paula. Besides his devoted wife and children, Peter is survived by 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his brother, Kenneth and Kenneth's life-long partner, Joe Kopitz; and cousins, John Block, Barry Diamondstone, Patty and Avna.
Peter's life of service in the struggle to protect human rights and our nation's Constitution began at an early age and continued through his last weeks. As a child, he worked for Franklin Roosevelt delivering leaflets. He often recalled a book his mother gave him when he was still "a kid" - "The Fine Art of Propaganda: A Study of Father Coughlin's Speeches." During his last months, Peter saved his strength to attend monthly Liberty Union meetings where he helped to update the party platform (see www.libertyunion.com.)
Peter dedicated his life to the vision of a fair and just society where all people have equal access to the resources necessary to actualize their full potential, a classless society where people own the goods of their labor and no one has the right to profit from another's labor. After graduating from Flushing High in Queens, New York, Peter worked as a cab driver and a short order cook to put himself through college. He attended Queens College for two years. However, his conscience forbade from continuing to participate in a system where privileged college students were spared the draft while working class men died to protect the interests of the wealthy, so he upped his draft to serve in the Korean War.
After an honorable discharge, Peter completed his BA in English and history, and continued on to earn a degree from the University Of Chicago Law School and opened a private law practice on Long Island. He then moved to Vermont to be a Legal Aid attorney and to write a book, which was never written, never ceasing his work as a civil rights activist. After refusing to be relicensed on the Vermont Bar due to the unconstitutionality of the licensing process, Peter worked as a Vista volunteer trainer, a teacher, truck driver, preschool bus driver, and alcohol rehab counselor for the Vermont Veteran's Association. He was arrested numerous times, protecting our constitutional rights. One person wrote of Peter, "When you look up the word 'Mensch' in the dictionary, you find a picture of Peter."
Peter keenly felt the pain in the world. He served with compassion to ease suffering wherever it showed. He shared his home with the homeless, shared family holidays with strangers from halfway houses, and bartered legal advice for firewood and garden vegetables. He and Doris loved animals and rescued all sorts of critters from hurt pigeons to cats, dogs and even turtles.
Peter always lit up when he thought of two of the most influential people in his life: Pete Seeger and Bill Meyer. Bill, a good friend and inspiration, was Vermont's first elected Democrat to the Vermont's House seat and a co-founder of Liberty Union. Pete Seeger was one of Peter's childhood camp counselors. One of Peter's childhood delights was sitting under a tree with Pete Seeger singing songs of peace and justice, and fun songs, too. Peter loved to sing! Some of his last words, as he thought about his own life and the world at large were, "maybe we can all be a little nicer to each other."
Burial with family is on Saturday, Sept.2, 2017, followed by celebration of Peter's life. All are welcome, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 787 Western Ave., Dummerston, (the site of the long-time Diamondstone home.)
In memory of Peter, donations can be sent to Veterans for Peace or the ACLU.